Abundant Fruits
Read Saving Paradise to learn more about the early church’s reverance for God’s handywork in creation.
THE INVITATION:
We invite you to:
Gather with friends and people you trust
Help each other make it through life
Be courageous in sharing, compassionate in responding, and creative in your resilience together for the good of all.
CHECK IN:
How is it going?
How can we help each other?
Who else do we need to think about and pray for today?
CONSIDER THIS:
The holiness of creation was apparent to the earliest Christians. As the authors of Saving Paradise put it, “images of vines, fountains, and abundant fruits” adorned early churches. Today we might be more likely to build churches with nice audio/visual systems instead. But, by surrounding themselves with images of God’s created natural beauty, these early followers of Jesus claimed a partnership with the environment, a companionship with it for the good of both humans and the natural world.
DISCUSS:
What are your favorite places in nature?
Song of Songs 2 says, “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” What are the first outdoor things you enjoy doing once Spring awakens?
Enjoyment of nature can lead us to be better stewards of this gift. What’s one way you work for a healthier natural environment?
Sidewalk Detroit is working to connect people, art and ecology for good in the world. Check out their projects and events. Which one looks most interesting to you?
SENDING:
Remember that in community you can create conspiracies of goodness for the world!
When you and your crew are ready, we have $100 grants to help you launch goodness together.
And, the Love that created the whole universe is cheering for you to connect with others and make goodness real for the world!